Contrary to common perception, it seems that Bill Belichick wasn’t insistent on having complete control over the Atlanta Falcons.
When Belichick became available in the NFL coaching market, many assumed that interested teams would have to be willing to hand over full control of the franchise to the future Pro Football Hall of Famer. After all, Belichick had enjoyed unrestricted authority in New England for over a decade, and his reluctance to give up any of that power may have been a contributing factor behind his departure from the Patriots.
During two interviews conducted in Atlanta, it was revealed that Bill Belichick did not express a desire for total control of the team. This was confirmed by team owner Arthur Blank, who made it clear during a media discussion on Friday.
Arthur Blank, speaking to reporters, emphatically clarified the situation regarding Bill Belichick’s discussions with the Atlanta Falcons. Blank stated, “I want to make it abundantly clear, even beyond any doubt, that Bill Belichick never requested, in our conversations, complete control over personnel, the organization, or any related matters.” This statement from Blank aims to dispel any misconceptions or rumors surrounding Belichick’s involvement with the team.
“He demonstrated a high level of inclusivity and collaboration. He had interactions with Terry Fontenot and conducted his own references on our staff. He even sent me a private text, which I later shared with Terry, expressing his willingness to work with him.”
Despite the positive impressions Belichick made, the Falcons ultimately decided to choose Raheem Morris over him. According to reports, Blank had reservations about how Belichick might have wanted to structure certain aspects of the organization if hired. Additionally, Belichick’s reportedly “frosty” relationship with team president Rich McKay further complicated the situation and likely influenced the decision.
Only time will reveal whether Atlanta made the correct decision in forgoing the opportunity to hire the widely regarded greatest football coach of all time, who may become highly sought after in the coming year. The outcome will determine if the Falcons’ choice was a wise one or if they missed out on a valuable opportunity.
